Jaspreet Kaur Aims for Gold in LA 2028 Paralympics for India

New Delhi, March 24 (NationPress) A resounding cheer echoed throughout the JLN Stadium weightlifting venue as Punjab’s Jaspreet Kaur established a new national record in powerlifting during the Khelo India Para Games 2025.

In the 45kg category, the 30-year-old athlete from Punjab successfully lifted an astonishing 101kg on Sunday, exceeding her prior record of 100kg achieved just a week before at the nationals on March 16.

Jaspreet’s ascent to success is truly motivational. Once an overweight software engineer who graduated from NIT Kozhikode, her determination enabled her to shed 40kgs as she ventured into sports.

“Doctors informed me that my lower spine was under pressure and that I needed to lose weight. That was a turning point. I weighed 80kg at that time in 2020, and my engineering job required me to sit for extended periods. I was worried it would lead to being wheelchair-bound,” she shared with SAI Media.

For Jaspreet, powerlifting transcends being just a sport—it’s her lifeline. “The sport has chosen me, rather than me choosing it. My weight loss led me to powerlifting, and powerlifting instilled confidence in me. Now, I aspire to secure a medal for India at the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028 and create headlines, similar to my coach Rajinder Sir who won bronze in para powerlifting at the 2004 Athens Paralympics,” she expressed, focused on her ultimate ambition.

Jaspreet noted that she has a tilted spine, and being overweight exacerbates the pressure on her lumbar region, leading to imbalance in her non-polio affected leg.

Having been afflicted by polio at the age of three, Jaspreet Kaur now walks with the aid of callipers. After leaving her job in 2020, she returned to Punjab to embark on her weight loss journey, while also prioritizing her studies.

“Upon returning home, I began preparing for the UPSC exams and cleared the preliminaries within seven months,” she recounted. Her remarkable fitness transformation over the past 18 months was driven solely by a strict diet.

“I became my own nutritionist, conducting extensive research on diet. My sole aim was to lose weight and address my hip issues. I eliminated fast food and sugar, drank warm water twice a day, and maintained proper nutrition with desi ghee and four meals daily. I was cautious because staying hungry could weaken the liver,” she explained.

It wasn't until late 2022 that she discovered the Paralympic games through the news. Eager to participate, Jaspreet reached out to fellow para-powerlifters and Paralympians Rajinder Singh Rahelu and Paramjeet Kumar. Inspired by their successes, she decided to pursue the sport.

In her first nationals that same year, she lifted 70kg and won gold, securing a place at the esteemed Sports Authority of India National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar.

“I had no clue para powerlifting existed. While I was motivated by athletes, I was too focused on my studies to consider it for myself. Once I learned about it, I knew I had to give it a try,” said Jaspreet, who holds an M. Tech degree and has even published a thesis with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

With the expert mentorship of Rajinder Singh Rahelu, an Arjuna Award recipient, at SAI Gandhinagar, she refined her technique and strength, progressively lifting more than twice her body weight in just three years.

“All credit goes to Rajinder Sir. I have unflinchingly followed his advice in every aspect of my training. Additionally, SAI Gandhinagar has provided me with comprehensive dietary support and a disciplined regimen over the past few years,” she expressed with appreciation.

Jaspreet is also a proactive supporter of the Fit India Sundays on Cycle Mission, which promotes the message of ‘Fight against Obesity’.

“The Fit India cycling initiative has evolved into a movement that resonates with my journey. Overweight individuals often struggle with self-confidence and may withdraw from social situations due to fear and self-doubt. I experienced severe acidity and blood vomiting—it was a dire situation. However, now I feel more robust than ever. Although I walk with callipers, my stamina has significantly improved, allowing me to walk for kilometers without getting winded,” she concluded with SAI Media.